Local police failed to nail a couple accused of torturing to death a 12-year-old maid in a Sargoda village, the 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Saturday.

According to police, landlord Jawad Bhatti and his wife were involved in murdering the child maid yesterday and vanished.

Taking notice of the brutality, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered the police to bring to book the culprits at the earliest. However, police have failed to nail the suspects.

Regional Police Officer Shariq Kamal Siddiqui visited the bereaved parents and assured them of the arrest of the accused at the earliest.

Police said the RPO directed the SP concerned to complete the investigation under his supervision

Loom and gloom prevailed as the body of the child maid landed home.

All requirements are being met to ensure justice, the RPO said, adding that the culprits will be brought to book.

Police said a hunt for the fugitives is on.

In July last, the wife of a civil judge subjected a 14-year-old maid from Sarghoda to brutal torture in Islamabad.

As the story made headlines, the then chief minister took notice and the police top brass sprang into action.

The girl bore brutal torture marks and was rushed to the Sarodha district headquarters hospital from where she was referred to Lahore due to severe injuries. She took months to start recovery.  

Though there is no primary data on child workers, estimates show over 12m child workers in the country.